Politics of South Africa
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/world/africa/13zuma.html?scp=14&sq=&st=nyt
“Judge Dismisses Corruption Charges Against Leader of South Africa’s Ruling Party”
I first developed an interest in Jacob Zuma when the class went to the African textile exhibit at the Grey Art Gallery. One of the pieces called “Pass the parcel Jacob” told the story of his rape of a family friend, a claim for which he was found not guilty, in spite of much evidence to the contrary. Through further reading, I learned that this was only one of his many crimes. More recently, the New York Times detailed that he was charged with “16 counts of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud.” This article explains that the charges against Zuma have since been dropped, as the judge determined that the government mishandled the case. This action essentially guarantees Zuma the presidency of South Africa, as he is the leader of the governing party, the African National Congress.
This verdict seems to have been decided for the sake of the state of the nation, rather than for the sake of justice. Zuma is almost certainly guilty, but as the judge says, “Like a blinded Samson he threatens to make sure the temple collapses with him,” and thus, his crimes are overlooked. Few politicians are admired in South Africa, however, Zuma appears to represent hope for the future, so much so that people have professed that they would die or kill others on his behalf. This situation reminds me of Matigari in the sense that the country cannot seem to stand well on its own. In the article, Achille Mbembe, a political scientist at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, cexpands upon the similarity by stating that “In the African context, liberation movements have been very successful at bringing an end to colonialism, but their record in instituting a democratic political order and protecting and consolidating democracy has been abysmal.” Unfortunately, it seems for now, South Africa is willing to sacrifice justice in an attempt to maintain political stability.